The 3 Big Moves from Vikings Free Agency | Day 3
The Minnesota Vikings navigated Free Agency Day No. 3 on Wednesday, and it was a tad bit quieter than Tuesday’s historic events.
The 3 Big Moves from Vikings Free Agency | Day 3
Free agency’s second wave is about to hit the Vikings and the league, and Minnesota still has plenty of cash to spend.
Overall, these were the three big moves from Vikings Free Agency Day No. 3, ranked in ascending order (No. 1 = most important).
3. Tavierre Thomas (CB, ST) to Vikings
The Vikings’ main social media account tweeted, “Adding more pieces. The Vikings have agreed to terms with DB Tavierre Thomas.”
The move surprised onlookers because no source had reported on the transaction before the tweet. Usually during free agency, a player, agent, or reporter learns of a new signing, and the Vikings confirm it soon after. Not this time — the Vikings personally announced the deal.
Implication for Minnesota:
Folks should perceive Thomas as a special teams addition after wide receiver Trent Sherfield joined the Denver Broncos on Tuesday. Of course, Thomas might earn some defensive snaps, but outwardly, the move resembles a Sherfield replacement.
Special teams matter, too.
2. Javon Hargrave Is Officially Official
Minnesota had to wait until Wednesday to officially add Hargrave because the San Francisco 49ers couldn’t formally drop him until then.
Here’s Hargave’s Pro Football Focus resume to date:
- 2024: 60.6
- 2023: 74.9
- 2022: 80.1
- 2021: 67.3
- 2020: 61.2
- 2019: 83.4
- 2018: 80.6
- 2017: 74.3
- 2016: 63.7
Implication for Minnesota:
Minnesota now has two new and notable three-technique defensive tackles — Hargrave and Jonathan Allen. Vikings fans would’ve been thrilled with just one this offseason. But general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah chose trench warfare.
1. Harrison Smith Returns for Year No. 14
NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero tweeted Wednesday evening, “Six-time Pro Bowl safety Harrison Smith will return for a 14th NFL season, agreeing to terms today on a new contract with the Vikings, per sources. At age 36, Smith is still playing at a high level and can now add to his hall of fame resume.”
The contract is a $10.25 million base with incentives up to $14 million.
Defensive coordinator Brian Flores is also back in the saddle for 2025, perhaps a major factor in Smith’s decision. Vikings fans will be eager to see Smith cross paths with quarterback J.J. McCarthy, at least for one season.
Implication for Minnesota:
One of the purple team’s all-time greats is back in the saddle. Minnesota need not sign a free-agent safety. It’ll be Smith, Josh Metellus, and Theo Jackson in 2025.
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Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. The show features guests, analysis, and opinion on all things related to the purple team, with 4-7 episodes per week. His MIN obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band). He follows the NBA as closely as the NFL.
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.
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